Tee, I also cannot write if there’s a chance anyone might talk to me or require my attention. I also find it disturbing if I get it into my head that someone is even thinking of me. I am so damned introverted, I seem to require psychic alone-ness, not just physical alone-ness! A huge deficit in my character.

On the music tip, there is one exception. I like to listen to “Sentimental Walk” from the Diva soundtrack of a gazillion years ago. I set it on “repeat” and listen to it over and over. It’s only a few minutes long. There is something about the tempo that matches me perfectly.

I blogged about it here: http://www.susanpiver.com/wordpress/2008/01/23/music-for-writing/

For creative writing I need my “writing shorts” (an old pair of Dickies denim shorts), some strong black coffee, sometimes some nag champa, occasionally some classical music (preferably something quiet, like Satie), and/or some good inspirational poetry (Milosz, Wright, and others).

But for “work” writing, just need a deadline and to be up against it.

Peace,
Bill

I love to write when there’s lots of activity and noise, especially newsy activity (I was great in the newsroom), but CANNOT cannot write if there’s any chance that any of that activity will ever be directed at me, or “need” me.